Explore the St Pete Art World - Museum of Fine Arts Edition

Jovian shares her passion for Baroque painting by exploring one of the most influential masters of the period, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

Caravaggio (1571-1610) transformed art history with his dramatic use of light and shadow — known as chiaroscuro — and his intense realism, which came from direct observation rather than the idealized modeling favored by earlier artists. His work brought a striking naturalism and emotional depth to religious subjects and everyday life. Caravaggio’s innovations inspired a whole generation of painters called the Caravaggisti, several of whom are featured in the exhibition.

This is a unique opportunity to see an exceptional selection of works from the collection of Roberto Longhi, the renowned Italian art historian and collector who was instrumental in reviving interest in Caravaggio and his followers.

I truly look forward to sharing these astounding artworks with you all on Thursday night during Art After Dark, when we can enjoy free admission to the museum.

Info: For those of us coming from Thrive, we will gather in the common area at 5PM and head out on foot to the MFA at 5:15PM.

Info: Clementine has some of the best coffee and pastries in the city! I always like to caffeinate and sugar up before I dive in to art viewing. I'll give an introduction at this point of what we will see.

Info: Beginning with Caravaggio’s two works at the opening of the exhibition, we will lay the groundwork for understanding his distinctive style. As we move into the main exhibition spaces, we will look for variations and interpretations of Caravaggio’s artistic experimentation in the works of other artists throughout the collection. We will also look at contemporary works included in the exhibition, considering how Caravaggio’s legacy—his unflinching realism, psychological intensity, and willingness to confront difficult subjects—continues to shape how artists engage the human body, vulnerability, and mortality today.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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